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Over the years, doubt has been expressed about the birth of soccer in Cessnock.

To get down to the basic truths, Sid Grant, a well known historian, undertook a detailed research including personal interviews with old Bob Harden (ex-West Wallsend skipper), Tom Rennex, ‘G ‘Tup’’ Rennex, Alf Brunskill, Alec Renfrew and others. But the truth of this problem came out when a former Secretary of the NDBFA, Mr George Reay of Dudley, presented Sid with both the official minute book and registrar of players book for the period 1902-1911.

This indicated clearly that soccer started in Cessnock in April, 1907. A group of 15 sportsmen met on a vacant allotment just south of the Cessnock railway station. Many of these enthusiasts were recent arrivals from Minmi, West Wallsend, Greta and Stockton. The first ground was a large vacant area near where the Aberdare Park was established 15 years later. 2007 saw Cessnock celebrate 100 years of football.[2]

The Hornets are proud to carry on the tradition with many local juniors staying with the club for the majority of their careers with some current players having played over 150 senior games for the club. The club has gone back to its roots with a return to classic jersey style of the black and yellow vertical stripes. The 2012 season got off to a rocky start with an interrupted pre season but all 3 teams had a strong chance to make the finals.[3] Confidence was high with strong mix of experienced players such as Andrew O’Hearn, Mick Hugo and Jeremie Morton combining with 2 new recruits from the Northern Territory Institute of Sport, Dylan Elford and Chris Mitchell. The Under 19's squad was the only senior team of the season to progress the semi finals with majority of players being 17 or younger. They were then beaten by Maitland.

The near future for the club looks to be bright with many great young talents in the 19's squad and more talented players from the junior teams which includes the 17's who won their final and the 15's who made their final.

Cessnock City Hornets biggest rival is Weston Workers Bears FC who are currently in the Northern NSW NBN State League while Cessnock were relegated to the NewFM 1st Division in 2005. Both of the clubs have enjoyed success at the top of local football over their histories and have always had that extra spark in the games where these 2 clubs meet in any Grade/Age as you do with games between 2 rival football clubs.

The Hornets also have a big local rivalry with Singleton Strikers. Cessnock have dominated this rivalry in current years since Singleton were promoted into the NewFM 1st Division.

Cessnock share a somewhat local rivalry with Maitland Magpies too, who are also in the NewFM 1st division.

The end of the Hornets 2013 season saw the retirement of Andrew O'Hearn (nickname: Kanga ) a Cessnock City Hornets Football Club life member, a former Newcastle Breakers player, and Hornets 1st Grade Captain who ended his footballing career with 414 senior caps for the Hornets.